DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Sen. Tommy Tuberville argues the Navy is 'too woke' because 'people are doing poems on aircraft carriers'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Brent D. Griffiths | Christopher Woody | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Sen. Tommy Tuberville says the US Navy is too woke, citing a poetry night on an aircraft carrier. "It is absolutely insane the direction we're headed in our military," Tuberville told Fox News. "Secretary [Carlos] Del Toro of Navy, he needs to get to building ships, get to recruiting, and he needs to get wokeness out of our Navy," Tuberville said Wednesday evening on Fox News. AdvertisementAdvertisementSecretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Sen. Jack Reed at an industry conference in Newport, Rhode Island on August 28, 2023. AdvertisementAdvertisement"The service chief of any service has two full-time jobs already.

Persons: Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Tuberville, Carlos, Del Toro, We've, he's, Navy Carlos Del Toro, Jack Reed, Theodore C, Lee Tuberville, Gerald R, Ford, Mike Gilday, Gilday, Ted Lieu, George Patton, Richard, MCS3 Jeanette Mullinax, Chuck Schumer, Tuberville's, They've, Adam Smith of, Abraham Lincoln, Jeff Sherman Tuberville's, Lisa Franchetti, Joe Biden, Franchetti, Eric Smith, Smith, I've Organizations: US Navy, Fox News, Navy, Service, Alabama Republican, CNN, Army and Air Force, The Washington Post, Ford, Senate Armed Services Committee, House Armed Services Committee, Defense, Conference, Navy Reserve, Joint Chiefs, Staff, Marine, Chiefs Locations: Russian, Wall, Silicon, The, Newport , Rhode Island, Alabama, California, Flanders, Canadian, Adam Smith of Washington

YAHIDNE, Ukraine — Ukraine's military is making "very tangible progress" in its counteroffensive against Russian forces, Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC News on Thursday. He also placed the blame for a lack of peace talks at the door of the Kremlin. Ukrainians "knew this was going to be a hard fight but especially over the last couple of weeks, we are seeing very tangible progress," Blinken said in an interview. He said that he had heard a very detailed report from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who recently visited the front lines, and his military advisers. "I think we are seeing real forward movement," Blinken added.

Persons: Antony Blinken, Ukraine —, Ukraine's, Blinken, Volodymyr Zelenskyy Organizations: State Border Guard, Security and, Russian, NBC, Kyiv, Kremlin Locations: Ukraine, Kyiv Oblast, YAHIDNE, Ukraine's, Yahidne, Russian

☆ The secretary of the Navy said Sen. Tommy Tuberville is playing 'Russian roulette with the very lives of our service members' by stopping military confirmations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Madison Hall | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Since March, GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville has blocked more than 300 military promotions. On Tuesday, three military secretaries spoke out against his decision in a CNN appearance. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro accused Tuberville of aiding China with his block. On Tuesday, the secretaries of the Navy, Army, and Air Force appeared on CNN to discuss Tuberville'songoing decision to block any military promotions that need congressional approval. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said that the block is having an impact on the military's "combat readiness."

Persons: GOP Sen, Tommy Tuberville, Carlos Del Toro, Tuberville, he's, Del Toro, Ian Bremmer, Nikki Haley, Trump, Christine Wormuth Organizations: GOP, CNN, Service, Navy, Army, Air Force, Russia, Washington Post, Pentagon Locations: China, Wall, Silicon, Cuba, Tuberville

☆ Lviv's hottest ticket: a concert hall resurrecting Ukraine's repertoire
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Andrea Januta | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] Ivan Ostapovych, Lviv Organ Hall's co-director and conductor, rehearses with musicians of the Luhansk Philharmonic before a premiere of the opera Zorya at the Lviv Organ Hall, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine August 9, 2023. Performing during the war means tighter budgets, longer hours and quadruple the effort, said the hall's co-director Taras Demko. In early July when 10 people were killed in a Russian missile strike on a residential building in Lviv, the Organ Hall cancelled that night's choral concert. The hall spotlights Ukrainian music, including new compositions and little-known works. It was given its professional world premier at the Organ Hall earlier this year.

Persons: Ivan Ostapovych, Hall's, Alina Smutko, Taras Demko, Demko, Sievierodonetsk, Igor Shapovalov, Shapovalov, Mozart, Viktor Kosenko, Ihor Sonevytsky, Ostapovych, Andrea Januta Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Catholic Church, Performing, Reuters, Luhansk Philharmonic, Orchestra, YouTube, Communist Party, Thomson Locations: Lviv, Luhansk, Ukraine, Rights LVIV, Russia, Sievierodonetsk, Russian, Soviet Union

Opposition candidates, including Gou, blame the DPP for provoking Beijing and stoking tensions, labeling the vote as a choice between war and peace. Meanwhile, the DPP’s candidate, Vice President Lai Ching-te, has framed the election as a choice between democracy and authoritarianism. Lai Ching-te, Taiwan's Vice President and presidential hopeful, meets the foreign press in Taipei on August 25. In addition to securing 290,000 votes before November, Gou also needs to announce his running mate before September 17, as required by Taiwan’s Central Election Commission. “Gou is really having a race against time, and time is really not in his favor,” Sung said.

Persons: Terry Gou, Tsai Ing, Xi, China –, Lai Ching, “ Don’t, ”, Lai, Taijing Wu, Priding, Foxconn, Gou, China’s, ” Gou, roiling, Hou Yu, Ko Wen, Hou, who’s, “, Ko, Sung, ” Sung Organizations: CNN, Democratic Progressive Party, Harvard, ”, Communist Party, Chinese Communist Party, Kuomintang, KMT, ih, New, Taiwan People’s Party, Australia National University’s Taiwan Studies, Reuters, Taiwan’s Locations: Taiwan, China, Ukraine, Beijing, Moscow, United States, Lai, Taipei, Shenzhen, Taiwan Strait, Diaoyutai, Foxconn, New Taipei City

Joseph Biggs, the former second-in-command of the Proud Boys, was sentenced to 17 years in prison, and Zach Riehl, who presided over the Proud Boys’ Philadelphia chapter, received a 15-year sentence. “I definitely don't want to be a person affiliated with any more groups unless it's my daughter's PTA," he said. “My curiosity got the best of me, and I’m going to have to live with that for the rest of my life." "I let it consume my life and I lost track of who and what mattered most.”“It wasn’t just January 6th. “That day broke our tradition of peacefully transferring power, which is among the most precious things we had as Americans.

Persons: Joseph Biggs, Zach Riehl, Riehl, perjured, Enrique Tarrio, Donald Trump, Biggs, Timothy Kelly, “, ”, ” Riehl, Kelly, Biggs –, Riehl –, Jan, ‘, Biggs ’ Organizations: Capitol, U.S, Trump Locations: Philadelphia

☆ Foxconn founder Terry Gou announces run for Taiwan presidency
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Terry Gou Tai-ming, founder and chairman of Taiwan's Foxconn Technology, speaks during the Canton Tower Science & Technology Conference Guangzhou on December 8, 2016 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China. Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of major Apple Inc supplier Foxconn , said on Monday he was entering the race to be Taiwan's next president as an independent candidate in 2024 elections. Gou has spent the past few weeks touring Taiwan and holding campaign-like rallies, fueling speculation he was planning to run as an independent. "Give me four years and I promise that I will bring 50 years of peace to the Taiwan Strait and build the deepest foundation for the mutual trust across the strait," he said in a plea to Taiwan voters. "Taiwan must not become Ukraine and I will not let Taiwan become the next Ukraine."

Persons: Terry Gou Tai, Terry Gou, Gou, Hou Yu Organizations: Technology, Science & Technology Conference, Apple Inc, Foxconn, Kuomintang, KMT, ih, New, Democratic Progressive Party Locations: Canton, Science & Technology Conference Guangzhou, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province of China, China, New Taipei City, Taiwan, Ukraine

☆ Kody Brown's 18 children have grown up on 'Sister Wives.' Here's a look at their lives today.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Esme Mazzeo | Palmer Haasch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +13 min

TLCKody Brown's 18 children have grown up on "Sister Wives." Here's everything we know about the lives of Kody Brown's kids today, from their careers to their marital statuses and beyond. She expressed a love for fashion on "Sister Wives," and enrolled in UNLV in 2015, but dropped out in 2016. In a 2022 episode of "Sister Wives," Ysabel revealed just how close she and her mom were after her parents split up. Truely Brown, 13Truely Brown is Christine and Kody's youngest daughter and the first Brown child born after "Sister Wives" began filming.

Persons: Janelle, Christine, Robyn, Meri Brown, Garrison Brown, —, Kody Brown, Kody, Logan Brown, Janelle Brown, He's, Brown, Logan, Michelle Petty, Aspyn Thompson, neé Brown, Christine Brown, Mitch Thompson, Aspyn, Thompson, Kendra Scott, Leon Brown, Instagram, Leon, Audrey Kriss, Madison Brush, Madison, Kody's, Caleb Brush, Maddie, Axel, Evangalynn, Evie, Josephine, Mykelti, Antonio, Tony, Padron, Avalon, Archer, Hunter Brown, Hunter, Audrey Hubert, She's, Paedon Brown, John Yates, Robert Garrison Brown, Garrison, Gabe, David Preston, Dayton, Robyn Brown, David Jessop, Meri, Paedon, Yates, Gabriel Brown, Gwendlyn Queiroz, Gwendlyn, Beatriz Queiroz, Aurora Brown, Ysabel Brown, Per, Ysabel, Breanna Brown, Breanna, Savanah Brown, Truely Brown, Truely, Solomon Brown, Ariella Brown Organizations: Service, American, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, UNLV, Loyola University, Entertainment, Air Force, Air Force Academy, Johns Hopkins University, Utah National Guard, National Guard, NBC, Police, LinkedIn, Northern Arizona University, YouTube, University of Utah, Madison Locations: Arizona, StartUpNV, Nevada, Utah, Salt Lake City , Utah, Las, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Avalon, Las Vegas, Flagstaff , Arizona, Rome, Italy, Dayton, Europe, North Carolina, Christine

☆ Syria's Assad's ruling party shut by protests in rebellious Druze city
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Suleiman Al-Khalidi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Youths with welding machines sealed the gates of the building of the party led by President Bashar al Assad, which has been in power since a 1963 coup. A major economic crisis has seen the local currency collapse, leading to soaring prices for food and basic supplies and which Assad's government blames on Western sanctions. Across the province, scores of local branches of the Baath party whose officials hold top government posts were also closed by protesters with its cadres fleeing, residents said. In a rare act of defiance in areas under Assad's rule, protesters tore down posters of Assad, where the party has promoted a personality cult around him and his late father. Sweida, a city of over 100,000 people, has seen most public institutions shut and public transport on strike and businesses partially open, residents and civic activists said.

Persons: Bashar al Assad, Bashar, Assad, Kenan Waqaf, Sweida, Ryan Marouf, Suleiman Al, Khalidi, Grant McCool Organizations: Baath, Protesters, Thomson Locations: AMMAN, Sweida, Russia, Iran

CNN —Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to “intensity efforts” to deescalate tensions at their contested border, in a rare face-to-face meeting since a deadly clash strained relations more than three years ago. Face-to-face meetings between the leaders of India and China, the world’s two most populous nations, are rare. They had a brief conversation weeks later on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) leaders’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia. India’s decision to host this year’s SCO virtually meant that Modi and Xi did not have an opportunity for a face-to-face meeting. Xi is also expected to attend the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi next month.

Persons: Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, ”, Modi, Xi, Vinay Kwatra, ” Kwatra, “, assertiveness Organizations: CNN, Indian, LAC, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, India’s, External Affairs, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Huawei Locations: Johannesburg, India, China, New Delhi, Beijing, Western, Uzbekistan, Bali , Indonesia, Aksai Chin, Ladakh, Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, United States, Japan, US, Australia, Jammu, Kashmir, Pakistan

Marco Longari/Pool via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsJOHANNESBURG, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to China's President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg and highlighted concerns India has about border issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), India's foreign secretary said. Modi and Xi agreed "to direct their relevant officials to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said. On the sidelines of the BRICS summit Modi highlighted to Xi "India's concerns on the unresolved issues along the LAC", Kwatra said. This is the first time that Modi has brought up the issue directly with Xi, repeating India's stand that has been shared with China through other ministers multiple times. "The two sides should bear in mind the overall interests of their bilateral relations and handle properly the border issue so as to jointly safeguard peace and tranquillity in the border region," Xi said.

Persons: India Narendra Modi, Cyril Ramaphosa, China Xi Jinping, Marco Longari, Narendra Modi, Xi Jinping, Modi, Xi, Vinay Kwatra, Kwatra, Bhargav Acharya, Tannur Anders, Michael Martina, Krishn Kaushik, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Indian, LAC, Xinhua, Shanghai Cooperation, Thomson Locations: India, China, Sandton, Johannesburg, Rights JOHANNESBURG, Indonesia

☆ China launches drills in angry response to Taiwan vice president's trip to U.S.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

The U.S. says it's closely monitoring China's drills around Taiwan after Beijing began three days of military exercises around the island. Greg Baker | AFP | Getty ImagesChina launched military drills around Taiwan on Saturday as a "serious warning" to separatist forces in an angry but widely expected response to Vice President William Lai's visit to the United States, drawing condemnation from Taipei. Taiwan's government strongly condemned the drills, with the defense ministry saying it had the ability, determination, and confidence to ensure national security. "The Republic of China, Taiwan, is a sovereign country and has a legitimate and legal right to conduct normal diplomatic interactions with friendly countries," it added in a statement, using the island's formal name. Taiwan's defense ministry released a short video of undated footage showing Taiwanese forces at sea, on city streets and across the countryside.

Persons: Greg Baker, William Lai's, Joseph Wu, Joe Biden Organizations: PLA Navy, Beijing, AFP, Getty Images China, Eastern Theatre Command, Mainland Affairs Council, U.S, Taiwan Locations: Taiwan, China's, Fujian, U.S, United States, Taipei . Lai, Paraguay, China, Beijing, Republic of China, South Korea, Japan

Tokyo CNN —Japan expressed “grave concern” after Chinese and Russian warships sailed close to its southern islands on Thursday, just a day before its leader is expected to discuss rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific at a summit with counterparts from South Korea and the United States. It is the first time Russian and Chinese ships have sailed together through this particular body of water. It said the ships are believed to have taken part in a joint patrol in the Pacific. Chinese and Russian sailors conducted anti-submarine exercises, repelled a simulated enemy air raid, conducted rescue training at sea, and practiced helicopter takeoffs and landings on the decks of warships, the Russian ministry said. There, they are expected to agree to deepen defense, technology and economic cooperation, according to senior Biden administration officials.

Persons: David, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk, hasn’t, China’s, ”, Wang Yi Organizations: Tokyo CNN —, Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Japan, Western, Biden, South Locations: Tokyo CNN — Japan, Russian, South Korea, United States, Miyako, Japan’s, Okinotori, Soya, Hokkaido, Sakhalin, Okhotsk, Japan, East, China, Russia, Tokyo, Ukraine, Moscow, Kyiv . China, North Korea, Seoul, Korea, Asia, European, Pyongyang, Korean

After months of acrimony, administration officials have recently begun visiting Beijing in a bid to reestablish regular communication. “The most intense, the most focus that I’ve ever seen President Biden is in advance of these engagements with President Xi,” the official said. And the extent to which their personal relationship will impact US-China relations overall has yet to be determined. “This summit is formalizing and institutionalizing a major strategic shift of the region,” explained a third senior administration official. “The Biden administration has always been clear that talking is best, they will keep showing up, and communication is necessary.

Persons: David, Joe Biden, –, Xi Jinping Biden, ” Biden, “, ”, Xi, Biden, CNN’s Arlette Saenz, “ You’re, Hikariko Ono, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, “ Xi, Narendra Modi, ’ Biden, “ I’ve, “ That’s, we’re, “ Biden, Obama, Danny Russel, Camp David, Fumio Kishida, Yoon Suk, Antony Blinken, Janet Yellen, John Kerry Organizations: CNN, Korean, Democratic, Foreign Ministry, White House, Biden, State Department, Camp, Japanese, South, ” Locations: China, Utah, Beijing, Bali, US, Tokyo, Seoul, mending, Asia, Sunnylands, Palm, Taiwan, India, San Francisco, Japan, South Korea

☆ China's defense minister Li Shangfu warns against 'playing with fire' on Taiwan during Russia meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —China’s defense minister Li Shangfu on Tuesday warned against “playing with fire” when it comes to Taiwan in a veiled jab at the United States as he addressed a security conference in Russia. Speaking at the Moscow Conference on International Security, Li said attempts to “use Taiwan to contain China,” would “surely end in failure,” according to state-run news agency Xinhua. China’s ruling Communist Party claims the self-governing democracy of Taiwan and has vowed to take control of it, by force if necessary. The visit is Li’s second to Russia since assuming his role as defense chief earlier this year. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has also drawn increased attention to Taiwan as a potential security flashpoint in Asia.

Persons: CNN —, Li Shangfu, “, Li, China’s, Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Sputnik, Sergei Shoigu, William Lai, Lai, ” Organizations: CNN, Moscow Conference, International Security, Xinhua, Communist Party, Washington, Senior, US, Taiwan Locations: Taiwan, United States, Russia, China, Ukraine, Taipei, Moscow, Belarus, ”, Iran, Myanmar, Beijing, “, Xinhua, Russian, Alaska, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Paraguay, New York, Asia

☆ Ecuador election: political violence and insecurity loom large as Ecuadorians get ready to vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Rafael Romo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It has also brought international attention to the powerful criminal organizations driving the violence that has plagued Ecuador. “By the very fact that we’re not controlling our borders, we’re getting an influx of money that is literally corrupting the country,” Topic added. Topic told CNN that while he admires Bukele, he would be more careful when it comes to respecting human rights. Andrea González Náder – who was Villavicencio’s running mate – told CNN that the fight against criminal gangs and corruption was Villavicencio’s main objective when he was alive. Those aims have not changed, she told CNN from a secret location in Ecuador, which police asked CNN not to reveal for her protection.

Persons: Ecuador CNN — Gissella Cecibel Molina doesn’t, Fernando Villavicencio, Fernando, ” Molina, ‘ Fernando Villavicencio, ’, ”, Molina, “, Villavicencio, Juan Zapata, Fernando Villavicencio's assasination, Karen Toro, Pedro Briones, Agustin Intriago, Walker Vera, Pity Guzman, Rodrigo Buendia, Bukele, doesn’t, Andrea González Náder –, –, Martin Bernetti, Luisa González, Rafael Correa, “ I’ve, Gustavo Petro Organizations: Ecuador CNN, National Assembly, CNN, “, Reuters, Manta, Ecuadorian National Police, United Nations Office, Drug, Getty, French Foreign Legion, Electoral Council, Citizen Revolution Movement, European, Colombian, Zetas Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Ecuador’s, “, Esmeraldas province, Muisne, South America, United States, Europe, Colombia, Mexico, Balkans, AFP, Ecuadorian, European Union

☆ Wear Swatch's 'LGBTQ-related' products in Malaysia and you could face 3 years in jail
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Heather Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The ban comes under the Printing Presses and Publications Act, the ministry added. ‘Political punching bag’Rights groups say the LGBTQ community faces growing intolerance in Malaysia and accuse the government of being at least partly to blame. “It showcases an alarming trend where symbols of pride and acts of solidarity with the LGBTQ community are met with harsh and disproportionate government responses,” Dhia said. As more individuals and groups come forward in support of the LGBTQ community, the state’s pushback grows increasingly aggressive,” Dhia added. By creating an environment of fear and hostility, the Malaysian government does a disservice not only to the LGBTQ community but to every Malaysian citizen.”

Persons: CNN —, ”, Nick Hayek Jr, “, ” Hayek, Phil Robertson, ” Robertson, Dhia Rezki Rohaizad, ” Dhia, Matty Healy, Dhia Organizations: CNN, Swatch, Ministry of Home Affairs, Printing, Malaysian, ” Swatch Malaysia, Asia, Human Rights, “, “ Gay, British Locations: Malaysia, Malaysian

☆ Fernando Villavicencio assasination: How corruption and gang warfare transformed Ecuador
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Tara John | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But the high-profile assassination on Wednesday of presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio could be a turning point for the country that has so far struggled to control the bloodshed. Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio ran on an anti-corruption platform prior to his death. Floundering authoritiesSecurity and state forces have been badly unprepared for the rise of criminal groups in the country. A a car transports the body of Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio on August 10. Last year, the US withdrew visas from high-ranking officers of Ecuadorian state security forces, alleged to be linked to drug trafficking, as well as several judges and lawyers.

Persons: CNN —, Fernando Villavicencio, ” Juan Pappier, Watch’s, “, Karen Toro, Laura Lizarazo, ”, ” Lizarazo, Ecuador’s, Guillermo Lasso, Lizarazo, Eric Farnsworth, –, Villavicencio –, El, Nayib Bukele, Luisa González, Rafael Correa, Vicente Gaibor del Pino Organizations: CNN, Customs, Border Patrol, Ecuadorian, Reuters, Lobos, of, Americas Society, Security Locations: Ecuador, ”, Peru, Colombia, Europe, Washington, Americas

☆ Malaysia bans Swatch's pride watches as the nation cracks down on LGBTQ+ community.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Malaysia has banned pride-themed Swatch watches. Malaysian officials seized over 160 pride-themed watches from Swatch stores. In May, authorities raided Swatch stores and confiscated more than 160 watches from its Pride Collection. Swatch contested allegations that the watches were harmful, saying they carried a message of peace and love. Anyone found in possession of such Swatch products faces up to three years in jail or a fine of up to 20,000 ringgit ($4,375), it warned.

Organizations: Swatch, Service, Federal Gazette, Ministry Locations: Malaysia, Wall, Silicon, Swiss, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Taipei

"Our drone base in Niger is extremely important in countering terrorism in the region," one of the U.S. officials said. FOREIGN ASSISTANCEThe Biden administration has not formally labeled the military takeover in Niger a coup, a designation that would limit what security assistance Washington can provide the country. The U.S. drone base has grown in importance due to a lack of Western security partners in the region. The drone base, known as airbase 201, was built near Agadez in central Niger at a cost of more than $100 million. Wagner's chief, Yevgeny Prigozhin, has welcomed the coup in Niger and said his forces were available to restore order.

Persons: Abdourahmane Tiani, Balima, Mohamed Bazoum, Russia's Wagner, Biden, Antony Blinken, Nusrat al, Cameron Hudson, Hudson, Terence McCulley, WAGNER, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Wagner, Idrees Ali, Daphne Psaledakis, Simon Lewis, Michelle Nichols, Don Durfee, Deepa Babington Organizations: REUTERS, Nigerien, Islamic State, Al, West African, Center for Strategic, International Studies, United States Institute of Peace, Wagner Group, ., U.S, Thomson Locations: Niger, Niamey, United States, Sahel, Al Qaeda, France, Africa, insurgencies, Russia, China, Washington, U.S, Mali, Burkina Faso, Agadez, State, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Niger's, Nigerien

☆ Colombia AG's office says ELN plotting to attack top prosecutor
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Francisco Barbosa, Colombian Attorney General speaks during an interview with Reuters in Bogota, Colombia March 24, 2023. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez/File PhotoBOGOTA, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Colombia's attorney general's office is investigating an alleged planned attack by National Liberation Army (ELN) rebels against top prosecutor Francisco Barbosa, it said on Tuesday. Barbosa has publicly opposed many of Petro's peace promises, including a pending law which would reduce prison sentences for crime gangs who surrender, recognize their crimes and offer reparations to victims. According to three sources, "In July there took place a meeting in Venezuela between five high commanders of the ELN...to produce an attack with snipers," the attorney general's office said in a statement. The attorney general's organized crime division is investigating and corroborating the information, the statement added.

Persons: Francisco Barbosa, Luisa Gonzalez, Gustavo Petro, Barbosa, Rolo, general's, Julia Symmes Cobb, Deisy Buitrago, Leslie Adler Organizations: Colombian, Reuters, REUTERS, National Liberation Army, Thomson Locations: Bogota, Colombia, BOGOTA, Venezuela, Venezuelan, Caracas

☆ Pope Francis warns about AI’s dangers
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Washington CNN —Pope Francis warned that artificial intelligence could pose a risk to society, highlighting its “disruptive possibilities and ambivalent effects” and urging those who would develop or use AI to do so responsibly. Other industry experts and policymakers have expressed concerns that AI could facilitate the spread of fraud, misinformation, cyberattacks and perhaps even the creation of biological weapons. Francis himself has been the subject of AI-generated deepfakes. Earlier this year, an AI-generated image of Francis wearing a white, puffy Balenciaga-inspired coat went viral. Tuesday’s message announced the theme for 2024’s World Day of Peace, which the Pope said would focus on AI and peace.

Persons: Washington CNN — Pope Francis, Francis, ” Francis, ” Francis’s, puffy Balenciaga, Pope, ” Organizations: Washington CNN

Quito, Ecuador CNN —A candidate in Ecuador’s upcoming presidential election, Fernando Villavicencio, was assassinated at a campaign event Wednesday, President Guillermo Lasso confirmed on social media, vowing the killing will not go unpunished. He was gunned down 10 days before the first round of the presidential election was set to take place on August 20. Ecuador’s Attorney General’s Office said the suspected gunman died in police custody following an exchange of fire with security personnel. Seven of the eight presidential candidates, including Villavicencio, were under police protection, Ecuador’s Interior Minister Juan Zapata said earlier this week, local media reported Tuesday. All the candidates in the country’s presidential election have pledged to rein in the escalation of violence.

Persons: Ecuador CNN —, Fernando Villavicencio, Guillermo Lasso, Villavicencio, Cristian Zurita, Rodrigo Figueroa, “, Lasso, ” Lasso, Juan Zapata, paz ”, Agustin Intriago, Ariana Chancay, CNN En, CNN En Español Conclusiones, ” Organizations: Ecuador CNN, Movimiento, CNN, Ecuador’s, General’s, Judicial, Fire Department, Ecuador Police, National, Lasso, paz, Security, CNN En Español Locations: Quito, Ecuador, Villavicencio, Peru, Colombia, South America, North America, Europe, Manta, Darien, United States

☆ High interest rates make these guaranteed-income products attractive. Here's what to know about fixed annuities
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( Michelle Fox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Americans have flocked to annuities for guaranteed income over the past year, as interest rates rose and investors looked for safety amid the market turbulence and recession concerns. One of the popular products has been fixed-rate deferreds which — as the name implies — provide a fixed rate for a specific period of time. "So that opportunity to get a more competitive rate on a fixed annuity is not an indefinite window." Multiyear guaranteed annuities Traditional fixed annuities typically guarantee the rate for a portion of the contract, while a multiyear guaranteed annuity, or MYGA, has a rate of return that is guaranteed over the duration of the contract. When buying a fixed annuity, investors need to figure out the term that works best for them, said Limra's Hodgens.

Persons: we've, Bryan Hodgens, Doug Ornstein, David Blanchett, TIAA's Ornstein, Ornstein, Limra's, " Blanchett Organizations: TIAA Wealth Management, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, guaranty, DC Solutions, Insurance, TIAA Institute, Social Security Locations: Connecticut

☆ Pope warns against potential dangers of artificial intelligence
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Pope Francis gestures on the day he meets with aid and charity representatives at "Centro Paroquial de Serafina" during his apostolic journey to Portugal on the occasion of the XXXVII World Youth Day, in Lisbon, Portugal, August 4, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura/File PhotoVATICAN CITY, Aug 8 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Tuesday called for a global reflection on the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), noting the new technology's "disruptive possibilities and ambivalent effects." Francis, who is 86 and said in the past he does not know how to use a computer, issued the warning in a message for the next World Day of Peace of the Catholic Church, falling on New Year's Day. The Vatican released the message well in advance, as it is customary. Reporting by Federico Maccioni, editing by Alvise ArmelliniOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pope Francis, Violeta Santos Moura, Francis, hasalso, Federico Maccioni, Alvise Organizations: Centro, REUTERS, CITY, Catholic Church, Vatican, Microsoft, IBM, Thomson Locations: Portugal, Lisbon, Vatican

Search resuls for: "of Peace"

25 mentions found